[Satellite Today 07-15-08] Globecomm Systems Inc. has been awarded a mobile infrastructure contract from First Networks Operations Inc., a Canadian mobile telecommunications operator, Globecomm announced July 15.
    Globecomm will provide First a combination of services and systems bsed on its SatCell technology that will be used to extend a GSM wireless network to unserved and underserved businesses and consumers across northern Canada.
    The market, identified by First, is characterized by sparsely populated First Nations communities that generally have telephone service but no mobile voice or data services. First is partnering with the Canadian First Nations and provincial hydro companies to deploy a mobile network backhauled by a combination of satellite and fiber.
    Globecomm is designing the mobile network and installing mobile base stations. Globecomm’s will provide hosted switching capacity using the company’s mobile switching center in Hauppauge, N.Y. Globecomm also will provide connection to third-party clearinghouses for voice and data, fraud prevention, prepaid and postpaid billing, voicemail, short messaging services, long-distance routing and e-911 service.